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100 years and nine months ago, an American ship called Chesapeake was cannonballed by a British vessel, and not in the Ron Burgundy way. Apparently, the Americans refused to be boarded, the Brits fired and an international incident was born.
A century later, our shores are still under assault, but less from the nautical variety and more of the musical kind. Very recently, we have been boarded by British Sea Power, who rocked Spaceland Thursday and on Wednesday we will again be treated to the best the UK has to offer.
The Duke Spirit sail into town for a one night show at The Echo Wednesday in support of their recent release, the oceanically inspired Neptune, the band's second album and most inspired work to date.
In 2005, the band released Cuts Across the Land to strong, if sparse critical acclaim. They got some love from Nic Harcourt on KCRW, Seattle's resident Indie showcasers KEXP and Rodney on the Roq, where I first heard the band's eponymous single from that album.
They blazed through an energetic Coachella set in 2006 and on Feb. 4, released Neptune, which takes its name from the Roman god of the sea and has been lauded on both sides of the Atlantic.
One of the reasons the band has been praised is the smooth sailing voice of lead singer Leila Moss, whose sexy contralto guides us through each song as if we are blindfolded and walking through a David Bowie Labyrinth.
Ditties from Neptune, like The Step and the Walk, This Ship is Built to Last and Lassoo, echo early Rolling Stones and Sonic Youth and will continue to cement The Duke Spirit's reputation as a British force to be reckoned with. At sea or on land.
Update The Duke Spirit will be on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic tomorrow around 11:15. If you miss it, you can check out the set via the KCRW archives.
Tickets are $12 and are still available via Ticketweb and at The Echo.
Lassoo, on The Henry Rollins Show:
Image of Leila Moss by rocktographer via Flickr.
